Golf club groove cleaning and deburring tool

ABSTRACT

A golf club groove cleaning and deburring tool that includes a base portion having a grip affixed to its top side and a blade attached to its substantially planar bottom side. The blade extends substantially normal in relation to the planar bottom side of the base portion and includes substantially planar sides and a bottom cutting edge, a maximum width equal to or less than 0.035 inches (0.9 mm) and a depth equal to or less than 0.020 inches (0.508 mm), and wherein the substantially planar sides are either substantially straight and parallel from the base portion to the bottom cutting edge or taper from the base portion to the bottom cutting edge.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/310,926, filed Mar. 5, 2010 (Mar. 5, 2010).

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

THE NAMES OR PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

SEQUENCE LISTING

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to golf club cleaning tools, andmore specifically to a groove cleaning and deburring tool.

2. Discussion of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37CFR §§1.97, 1.98

High speed video analysis shows that when a golf ball is struck by agolf club, the ball remains in contact with the club for slightly over1/2000th of a second. During that time the ball first deforms byflattening slightly against the club face, but it quickly begins torebound off the club face at a rate determined by its coefficient ofrestitution. During that rebound period, and while the ball is still incontact with the club face, the ball begins to slide very slightly upthe club face. Further, just prior to leaving contact with the clubface, the ball commences a back rotation about its lateral axis (i.e.,to back spin), such that immediately after leaving the club face theball may be spinning backwards at extremely high rates, in someinstances approaching 3,600 rpm in the case of balls struck by woods(metal woods) and long irons, and up to and exceeding 6,000 rpm in thecase of balls struck by the higher irons and wedges.

Back spin produces lift as the air passing over the top surface of theball (in the same direction as that of the rotating dimples) isaccelerated, while the air passing under the ball is compressed anddecelerated so as to create a pressure differential, much as in themanner of a wing. Spin also reduces the effect of side spin (hook andslice spins) and is therefore advantageous for hitting straighter shots.Finally, spin facilitates good ball behavior upon landing—the ball bites(stops quickly without much roll) and thus tends to stay closer to itslanding place.

Spin is produced primarily by the difference between the club face angleand the angle of attack of the club head as it strikes the ball. Butspin is significantly augmented by the effect of the club face grooveson the ball as the ball interacts with the club face duringimpact—specifically that moment during impact when it tends to slide upthe club face. The grooves have two principal effects: Firstly, theedges of the grooves reduce the degree to which the ball slides up theclub face during impact by digging into the side of the deformable ballcover material while the groove openings accommodate and hold thecaptured material in place; and secondly, the groove channels functionto channel away water or slippery turf grass trapped between the balland club.

In recent years some controversy among golfers and within golf rulemaking bodies has arisen as groove designs have become increasinglyeffective in imparting spin. Groove design improvements are such thatplayers of lesser skill have been able to control balls quite well evenwhen hitting from wet rough. In consequence, and so as to restore thepunitive purpose of “rough,” the United States Golf Association (USGA)revised the Rules of Golf, effective Jan. 1, 2010, to imposerestrictions on groove cross-sectional shape, edge sharpness, and groovewidth and depth. Paragraph 5c(i) of Appendix II to the Rules of Golf nowincludes the following limitations: (a) Grooves must not have sharpedges or raised lips (test on file); (b) grooves must be straight andparallel; (c) grooves must have a symmetrical cross-section and havesides which do not converge; (d) the width, spacing and cross-section ofthe grooves must be consistent throughout the impact area; (e) anyrounding of groove edges must be in the form of a radius which does notexceed 0.020 inches (0.508 mm); (f) the width of each groove must notexceed 0.035 inches (0.9 mm), using the 30 degree method of measurementon file with the USGA; (g) the distance between edges of adjacentgrooves must not be less than three times the width of the grooves, andnot less than 0.075 inches (1.905 mm); and (h) the depth of each groovemust not exceed 0.020 inches (0.508 mm).

It will be a natural design choice preference to manufacture clubs up tothe allowed USGA maximums and to maintain grooves in such condition aslong as possible during use. As golfers know, however, groovesdeteriorate over time, largely due to repeated impacts with balls andabrasive turf and soils. Indeed, the repetitive impacts with the balland turf essentially effect a plastic deformation process that causesthe edges of the groove to flatten and flow into the groove space, thusdulling the edge of the grooves, narrowing the groove opening, andcompromising club performance characteristics.

Accordingly, it is desirable to have a groove cleaning and deburringtool that keeps grooves free of dirt and debris and addresses thedeformation of repeated impact by reconditioning and reshaping thegrooves to their optimum dimensions, shape, and condition.

Several prior art devices have been directed to similar or relatedpurposes, though with inferior results. Exemplary patent references aredescribed in the following paragraphs.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,269,513, to Gervais teaches a tool body having a pair ofprongs at one end for repairing ball marks and cleaning shoes, and aclub face and groove cleaning blade at the other end. The blade iscurved and extends laterally across the width of such body, such thatthe body is moved laterally to clean grooves.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,112,364, to Myers shows a comb-like groove cleanerhaving tool body having a plurality of spaced apart flexible tinemembers, each with a downwardly angled finger portion which terminatesin a sharpened tooth element.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,743, to Walsh, Jr. discloses a cleaning toolfashioned from a modified golf ball tee. The top or head of the golf teeis made square or other sharp cornered configuration rather than round,and the disc or head of a marker is made into a square. This providesstraight edges on each of four sides of the tee and of the marker thatallow a scraping action of the face of a dirtied club by either object.Penetration of the club face grooves is obtained by inserting the sharpcorners formed by the intersecting straight edges of the objects in thegrooves.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,519, to Haugom describes a groove cleaner having aseries of small evenly spaced fixed teeth with reinforcing ribs tominimize the risk of breaking teeth during use.

The teeth are spaced, but the device can be twisted to fit differentlyspaced parallel grooves. The device includes a pair of large sharpprongs on its opposite end to clean golf shoes and to repair divots andgolf ball marks in the turf on golf course greens.

And U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,129, to Hainey, which teaches a pocket-knifetype cleaning tool that employs cleaning element resembling a shortpiece of hacksaw blade. It is used to clean the grooves and faces ofgolf clubs and can also be used to roughen the grips of such clubs. Theadvantage of the tool is that it is small enough for golfers to carrycomfortably in a pocket during a round of golf and includes areplaceable cleaning element.

The foregoing patents reflect the current state of the art of which thepresent inventor is aware. Reference to, and discussion of, thesepatents is intended to aid in discharging Applicant's acknowledged dutyof candor in disclosing information that may be relevant to theexamination of claims to the present invention. However, it isrespectfully submitted that none of the above-indicated patentsdisclose, teach, suggest, show, or otherwise render obvious, eithersingly or when considered in combination, the invention described andclaimed herein. Most notably, none of the references provide suitablemeans to control the depth of any cutting or deburring provided by thecleaning tool, thereby creating a risk that repeated cleaning will cut agroove deeper than that allowed under the rules. Furthermore, none ofthe references show a cleaning tool that provides sufficient lateralstability to prevent inadvertent deformation of the groove edges andwidening of the groove channel beyond the rule limits.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is compact golf club groove cleaning tool thatencourages routine and repeated cleaning of golf club face grooves so asto optimize club performance characteristics without creating any riskthat such maintenance actions will in any way take the club out ofcompliance with the USGA rules restricting groove shapes and dimensions.While this concise and simple summary broadly sets out the moreimportant features of the present invention, there are additionalfeatures of the invention that will be described in the detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments of the invention which form thesubject matter of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those setforth above will become apparent when consideration is given to thefollowing detailed description thereof. Such description makes referenceto the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1A is lower perspective view of the inventive golf club groovecleaning and deburring tool of the present invention, showing a V-shapedcutting blade conforming to USGA rules;

FIG. 1B is a lower perspective view showing is lower perspective view ofthe inventive golf club groove cleaning and deburring tool of thepresent invention showing a box-shaped cutting blade conforming to USGArules;

FIG. 2 is a schematic upper perspective view showing the tool in use;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional end view in elevation showing the tool ofFIG. 1A in use (as viewed from the toe end of the club head);

FIG. 3B is cross-sectional end view in elevation showing the tool ofFIG. 1B in use (also as viewed from the toe end of the club head);

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side in elevation of the tool in use, asshown along section line 4-4 of FIG. 3B (thus, as viewed from the top ofthe club head);

FIG. 5 is a lower perspective view of an alternative embodiment of theinventive tool.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring first to FIGS. 1 through 5, wherein like reference numeralsrefer to like components in the various views, there is illustratedtherein a new and improved golf club groove cleaning and deburring tool,generally denominated 10 herein. These views collectively show a firstpreferred embodiment, which comprises a gripping portion 12, preferablyincluding a pedestal or column with depressions 14 on its sides toaccommodate a user's finger and thumb so as to prevent slipping andfacilitate a firm hold during use. The gripping portion is integrallyconnected to a rigid base 16 having a top side 18, a substantiallyplanar bottom side 20, and a perimeter 22. An elongate blade 24 islongitudinally disposed along the longitudinal center axis 26 of thebase in a normal orientation relative to the plane of the base bottomside. The blade is firmly attached either by being molded into the baseat the time of manufacture, or by being captured and clamped in a wellknown manner so as not to permit the blade to wobble or moveside-to-side during use. The cutting portion of the blade 28 (thatexposed under the base bottom side) is sized with a width and depth, andit is also shaped, in exact conformity with any of the permitted groovesizes and shapes as set out in Appendix II, Paragraph 5(c)(i) of theUSGA Rules of Golf, and as shown in Figs. XI-XIII of that section,examples of which are shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, these being V-shaped andbox-shaped, respectively.

The Rules of Golf now provide that effective Jan. 1, 2010, if a club hasgrooves in the impact area they must be straight and parallel, have aplain, symmetrical cross-section, and have sides that do not convergefrom the base of the groove as the sides approach the clubface surface.The width, spacing and cross-section of the grooves must be consistentthroughout the impact area, the width not to exceed 0.035 inches (0.9mm), using the 30 degree method of measurement on file with the USGA,the distance between edges of adjacent grooves not to be less than threetimes the width of the grooves, and not less than 0.075 inches (1.905mm), and the depth of each groove not to exceed 0.020 inches (0.508 mm).

Further, grooves must not have sharp edges or raised lips. For clubswith a loft angle greater than or equal to 25 degrees, groove edges asthey level and merge into the clubface surface must be substantially inthe form of a round having an effective radius which is not less than0.010 inches (0.254 mm) and not greater than 0.020 inches (0.508 mm).

Accordingly, the blade used in the present invention is dimensioned soas to clean and debur only to the depth and width, and in the shape,permitted under the rules. Indeed, the blade may be sized very slightlysmaller in each dimension than the size permitted under the rules so asto eliminate any risk of taking the club out of conformity after use ofthe tool. The blade must therefore have either straight and parallelplanar sides 30, or planar sides that converge or taper 32, from thebase portion to the bottom cutting edge 34 a, 34 b, and must have aplain, symmetrical cross-section. The blade width 36 (at its widestsection) is equal to or less than 0.035 inches (0.9 mm) and a depthequal to or less than 0.020 inches (0.508 mm).

All or a portion of the of the blade is fabricated from a material thatprovides wear resistance and corrosion resistance to keep a high qualityedge over prolonged use. Examples include 1095 carbon steel, heattreated stainless steels, diamond embedded steels, high speed steels,tool steels, tungsten carbide, zirconia ceramic, and the like. Theparticular blade and blade edge materials can be selected according tothe material from which club heads to be cleaned are fabricated.

The base 16 is sized with a width dimension sufficient to span acrossseveral of the parallel spaced apart grooves 36 of a conventional golfclub 38. The length of the base may be any dimension slightly greaterthan its width, but it is kept reasonably small to ensure conveniencefor the user; most importantly, it is sized so that it can be carried ina pocket without becoming noticeable or distracting.

As shown in FIG. 2, in use, the blade is simply inserted into a grooveand translated laterally across the club face the entire length of thegroove. In this manner, dirt and debris are removed and any peened orburr material that has migrated into the groove opening is trimmed backinto conformity allowed groove shapes. Additionally, the groove troughis conditioned and reshaped, again only in an amount that conforms tothe allowed limitations.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment 50 that includes a shaped base 52having at least one of its ends 54 provided with elongate points 56suitable for use in repairing ball marks and tightening shoe spikes. Thegrip 58, moreover, is provided with a through hole 60 that allows thetool to be held on a chain or ring, such as on a key ring or forattachment to a golf towel having a corner grommet. The blade in thisembodiment is shown with an alternative edge shape, illustrating thesimple concept that all conforming shapes may be provided in thisinventive apparatus.

The above disclosure is sufficient to enable one of ordinary skill inthe art to practice the invention, and provides the best mode ofpracticing the invention presently contemplated by the inventor. Whilethere is provided herein a full and complete disclosure of the preferredembodiments of this invention, it is not desired to limit the inventionto the exact construction, dimensional relationships, and operationshown and described. Various modifications, alternative constructions,changes and equivalents will readily occur to those skilled in the artand may be employed, as suitable, without departing from the true spiritand scope of the invention. Such changes might involve alternativematerials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms,functions, operational features or the like.

Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not beconstrued as limiting the scope of the invention, which are defined bythe claims to the invention set out herein below.

1. A golf club groove cleaning and deburring tool, comprising: agripping portion; a base portion having a top side to which saidgripping portion is attached and a substantially planar bottom side; ablade extending from and disposed substantially normal to said planarbottom side of said base portion, said blade having a cutting edge withsides and a bottom cutting edge.
 2. The golf club cleaning and deburringtool of claim 1, wherein said gripping portion is integral with saidbase portion.
 3. The golf club cleaning and deburring tool of claim 1,wherein said blade is elongate and is disposed along a longitudinal axisof said base portion.
 4. The golf club cleaning and deburring tool ofclaim 1, wherein said blade has a cutting edge with a depth and a widthsized to conform to the permitted groove sizes and shapes defined by theRules of Golf.
 5. The golf club cleaning and deburring tool of claim 1,wherein said cutting edge has a width equal to or less than 0.035 inches(0.9 mm) and a depth equal to or less than 0.020 inches (0.508 mm). 6.The golf club cleaning and deburring tool of claim 5, wherein said bladehas substantially planar sides that are substantially straight andsubstantially parallel from said base portion to said bottom cuttingedge.
 7. The golf club cleaning and deburring tool of claim 5, whereinsaid blade has substantially planar sides that taper from said baseportion to said bottom cutting edge.
 8. The golf club cleaning anddeburring tool of claim 1, wherein said blade has substantially planarsides that are substantially straight and substantially parallel fromsaid base portion to said bottom cutting edge.
 9. The golf club cleaningand deburring tool of claim 1, wherein said blade has substantiallyplanar sides that taper from said base portion to said bottom cuttingedge.
 10. The golf club cleaning and deburring tool of claim 9, whereinsaid base portion includes at least one end shaped with a pair ofelongate points for repairing ball marks and tightening shoe spikes. 11.The golf club cleaning and deburring tool of claim 1, wherein said baseportion includes at least one end having a pair of elongate points forrepairing ball marks and tightening shoe spikes.
 12. The golf clubcleaning and deburring tool of claim 1, wherein said gripping portionincludes a through hole for passage of a retention apparatus.
 13. Thegolf club cleaning and deburring tool of claim 1, wherein said grippingportion includes a pedestal with sides having finger and thumbdepressions.
 14. The golf club cleaning and deburring tool of claim 1,wherein said blade is molded into said base portion.
 15. The golf clubcleaning and deburring tool of claim 1, wherein said blade is removablycaptured and clamped in said base portion.